CVE-2017-13701 in EDS-G512E
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on MOXA EDS-G512E 5.1 build 16072215 devices. The backup file contains sensitive information in a insecure way. There is no salt for password hashing. Indeed passwords are stored without being ciphered with a timestamped ciphering method.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2021
The vulnerability identified in MOXA EDS-G512E devices running firmware version 5.1 build 16072215 represents a critical security flaw in the backup file handling mechanism that exposes sensitive authentication credentials. This issue falls under the category of improper credential storage and weak cryptographic practices, creating a significant risk for network security infrastructure. The device's backup functionality fails to implement proper security measures when storing password information, leaving authentication data vulnerable to unauthorized access.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of cryptographic salt during password hashing operations, combined with the use of timestamped ciphering methods that lack proper encryption strength. Without salt values, the system becomes susceptible to rainbow table attacks and precomputed hash lookups that can quickly reverse engineered stored passwords. The timestamped ciphering approach, while seemingly providing temporal security, fails to offer adequate protection since it relies on predictable patterns and lacks proper cryptographic algorithm implementation. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-916, which addresses the use of insecure or weak cryptographic algorithms in password storage mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to network management interfaces and administrative controls. An attacker who gains access to a backup file can extract stored passwords and use them to gain unauthorized access to the device configuration, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain secure authentication state, undermining the integrity of the entire network security posture. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that remains active even after the device is rebooted or reconfigured.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper password hashing with strong cryptographic salt values, replacing the current timestamped ciphering method with industry-standard encryption protocols such as bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. Network administrators should immediately update firmware to versions that address this vulnerability and implement regular security audits of backup file contents. The solution must incorporate proper key derivation functions that are resistant to brute force attacks and ensure that all password storage mechanisms meet current security standards. Additionally, organizations should establish strict access controls for backup files and implement monitoring systems to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration data. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of cryptographic best practices in embedded network devices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which addresses the exploitation of insecure cryptographic storage mechanisms.